By Nature.Canada, Tue, 28/06/2011 - 11:20

BirdLife Partner Nature Canada has added its signature to a birding and guiding memorandum signed by Province of Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) last October
The agreement represents a commitment between the two BirdLife Partners and the Government of Manitoba to find ways of jointly promoting birding, ecotourism, and the protection of birds and their habitat.
Nature Canada signed the agreement at the group’s annual general meeting held recently in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The event also unveiled a new international birding trail shared by Manitoba and the state of Minnesota in the United States.
“Today’s events showcase some of the many ways that Manitoba eagerly promotes environmental stewardship and ecotourism,” said Christine Melnick, Manitoba Minister of Water and Stewardship. “The memorandum of understanding signed with Israeli nature officials last fall provides a framework for co-operation on nature tourism and environmental education. Nature Canada is a key player in national and international conservation, and we are delighted that they are signing on to the memorandum.”
Melnick and Nature Canada also launched the Manitoba section of a new Pine to Prairie International Birding Trail established between Manitoba and Minnesota. Along with officials from the State of Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources and Watchable Wildlife International, the minister unveiled the route map and highway signage for the Manitoba portion of the 800-kilometre trail that features 68 prime wildlife viewing sites between Detroit Lakes, Minn., and Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park in Manitoba.
View pdf of trail
Nature Canada’s role in the birding MOU is to help extend this shared commitment to protecting birds and bird habitat to Canada as a whole. Nature Canada will be also promoting and taking part in a tour of Canada by Israeli, Palestinian and Jordanian nature officials.
“The protection of wildlife truly transcends all borders,” said Melnick. “Our memorandum of understanding with SPNI and Nature Canada, and our partnership with the State of Minnesota, reflect Manitoba’s commitment to working globally as well as locally to ensure the future of our natural resources.”
“Partnerships are central to our organization’s work in nature conservation and education,” said Richard Yank, chair, board of directors, Nature Canada. “We are very pleased to participate in this unique collaboration with the Province of Manitoba and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel to promote and secure the protection of our global wildlife populations.”

More great news for the Albatross Task Force - this time from Argentina where a major fishery will potentially save the lives of thousands of albatross by using bird-scaring lines on their trawler fleet.